by USA TODAY

by USA TODAY

AUBURN - The firing of Gene Chizik as Auburn's football coach after four seasons, including a 14-0 record and BCS National Championship in 2010, on Sunday upset several players.

Chizik and athletic director Jay Jacobs, who had recommended to university president Jay Gogue that Chizik no longer be the head coach, informed the team of the decision to change coaches during an afternoon meeting at the Auburn Athletic Complex.

"I think we did what he deserved and we gave him a standing ovation and clapped for him," tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen said. "There's so much love from coach Chizik on this team. Would we have loved to see him get another year, another opportunity? Yes, but at the same time we understand where Jay Jacobs is coming from. Three wins isn't going to cut it in our league."

Lutzenkirchen missed the second half of the season with a hip injury which required season-ending surgery. He was an integral part of the 2010 championship team and would not say what this year's team lacked compared to the squad which won the first championship in 53 years for the program.

Auburn (3-9, 0-8 SEC) ended its worst season in 60 years with Saturday's 49-0 loss to No. 2 Alabama in the Iron Bowl. After the game, the players who spoke all stood behind Chizik, who will be bought out of the remainder of his contract for approximately $7.55 million.

"It was tough. When you love somebody, it's tough," defensive tackle Jeff Whitaker said on Sunday. "But at the end of the day, it's the business that we're all live in and they have to make a business decision."

The Tigers have not been winless in conference play since 1980 (0-6). Less than two years removed from the 2010 BCS National Championship, Auburn had the worst season within two years after a title in the AP Poll era.

"Not winning a conference game is not going to cut it wherever you are at in this league," Lutzenkirchen said."I think there's multiple teams going through this process right now in our league. It's tough to see someone go who you've been with for four years and someone who gave you a chance."

Auburn joins Kentucky, Arkansas and Tennessee as SEC programs in search of a new head coach.

Running back Tre Mason, who topped 1,000 rushing yards (1,002) on the final play of Saturday's game, said Chizik's firing and the uncertainty of the future will be hard on the players.

"It's going to be a challenge because people's minds go everywhere," Mason said. "'Should I leave or should I stay?' I'm pretty sure people will probably stay and stick together as a family."

After Saturday's loss, true freshman quarterback Jonathan Wallace said he would not transfer if Chizik were fired.

Wallace and Mason, a sophomore, are two vital pieces for the next coaching staff to build on next season.

Whitaker said the disastrous 2012 campaign will not repeat itself.

"I don't think it's something you come in and it's a rebuilding issue," he said. "We have players. We're not going to have another season like this."